HOLLAND -- After some impassioned opinions on both sides of the issue, a proposal to expand Holland's anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity is headed to the City Council.

The Human Relations Commission Thursday voted unanimously to recommend the council amend its human relations and housing anti-discrimination ordinances, as well as its equal employment opportunity policy, to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

"If nothing else, the City Council and the people of Holland deserve for this issue to be heard," commission member Jim Dischinger-Smedes said.

More than 100 people packed the City Council chambers, and more than a quarter of them spoke out on the proposal, which was brought to the council in May and then referred to the Human Relations Commission.

For Arni Schering, who moved to Holland from Arkansas six years ago, the proposal is personal. Since coming out as gay about a year ago, he says he's experienced rejection from his former church and neighbors.

"I've had to create a whole new network of friends," Schering said. "I've had to find a different church."

Schering says he's not asking for special treatment because of his sexual orientation, just to be treated the same as others.

However, opponents say existing laws already provide adequate protection for gays and lesbians. Some also say passing an ordinance goes against their moral and religious beliefs.

"It should not be illegal to make a decision based on your moral standard," said the Rev. Bart Spencer, pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church on 24th Street. "We ought not to condemn people or make people criminals because they have a high moral standard."

Holland resident Chris Marlink added that an ordinance change "will have far-reaching and dangerous implications for private businesses in Holland."

"I believe that the measure under consideration represents a bridge too far for the City Council," Marlink added.

"We want to be a safe, welcoming, productive place for all our brothers and sisters, even those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender," said the Rev. Jennifer Adams, rector of Grace Episcopal Church and founder of Holland Is Ready.

HRC members will work on specific language to present to the City Council. Councilman David Hoekstra, the council's liaison to the HRC, said commissioners must be prepared to put together a proposal that will detail how far-ranging the ordinance change would go -- and whether it will extend beyond housing and employment discrimination, for example, how it will be enforced, and what the consequences are for violating it.

"If there's going to be an ordinance, we would want it as workable and functional as possible," Hoekstra said.

No timetable has been determined for when the City Council might address the proposal.